Marshlight

DCI Matt Ballard #4

by Joy Ellis

A new psychological thriller from bestselling author and British Book Awards Crime & Thriller of the Year nominee Joy Ellis.

MATT AND LIZ MAY HAVE RETIRED FROM THE POLICE, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN A QUIET LIFE.

An old friend’s sister disappears without a trace. There’s no sign of foul play, but she’d been acting very peculiarly . . .

Meanwhile, Liz’s cousin Christie comes to stay. She takes an immediate — and uncharacteristic — dislike to the local bookshop owner, Gina. Why does everyone put up with her awful behaviour?

HUNTING WILL-O'-THE-WISPS ON THE MARSHES CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS HOBBY.

Christie is convinced that Gina is manipulating everyone around her. Is she onto something dangerous or just pushing her new friends away?

No one believes her suspicions until another friend goes missing late at night on the misty Fen marshes.

Can Matt and Liz uncover the truth in time to save lives?

DISCOVER A TOTALLY ENTHRALLING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

What readers are saying about JOY ELLIS:

“The suspense starts on page 1 and continues through the twists and turns until the very surprising ending.” Linda Strong

“OMG, this book was fantastic. I absolutely loved it. I was gripped from the first page, but as the tension and suspense mounted throughout the book it just got better and better. And that ending, well, just WOW!” Dawn

“I absolutely loved it.” Viv

“Will keep you guessing until the end of the book.” Barbara

“What a book!!!” Sian

“I was so engrossed I sat up way too late to finish it in one sitting.” Elaine

THE SETTING
England's rural fenland is a strange place, with its never-ending fields, winding tracks, and long straight droves (the old livestock routes) that lead to nowhere. The lonely lanes are flanked either side by deep drainage ditches and are, for a good part of the year, filled with tall, whispering reeds. Closer to the Wash, high seabanks form a barrier between river and marsh, and the richly fertile soil of the drained land. But when the mists come down, as they so often do, perspective is destroyed and all sense of direction lost, and then the fens become a rather frightening place of mystery and danger. Somewhere that you do not want to be at night.

ALSO BY JOY ELLIS
THE BESTSELLING NIKKI GALENA SERIES
Book 1: CRIME ON THE FENS
Book 2: SHADOW OVER THE FENS
Book 3: HUNTED ON THE FENS
Book 4: KILLER ON THE FENS
Book 5: STALKER ON THE FENS
Book 6: CAPTIVE ON THE FENS
Book 7: BURIED ON THE FENS
Book 8: THIEVES ON THE FENS
Book 9: FIRE ON THE FENS
Book 10: DARKNESS ON THE FENS
Book 11: HIDDEN ON THE FENS

JACKMAN & EVANS
Book 1: THE MURDERER’S SON
Book 2: THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS
Book 3: THE FOURTH FRIEND
Book 4: THE GUILTY ONES
Book 5: THE STOLEN BOYS
Book 6: THE PATIENT MAN

DETECTIVE MATT BALLARD
Book 1: BEWARE THE PAST
Book 2: FIVE BLOODY HEARTS
Book 3: THE DYING LIGHT
Book 4: MARSHLIGHT

STANDALONES
GUIDE STAR

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Detective, Suspense

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2021

About the author

Joy Ellis grew up in Kent but moved to London when she won an apprenticeship with the prestigious Mayfair florist, Constance Spry Ltd. Having run her own flower shop in Weybridge for many years, Ellis then worked as a bookseller until a trip to the Greek island of Skyros, where she took part in a writer's workshop with Sue Townsend, encouraged her to write her own books. Joy soon after moved to the Lincolnshire Fens, where she has spent many of years living among the countryside accompanied by her partner, Jacqueline, and her variety of springer spaniels. After many years of writing, Jasper Joffe, from Joffe Books, discovered Joy's work and approached her with the offer of becoming her new publisher. This new relationship introduced Joy's work to the fascinating world of ebooks and audible listening. Since their partnership, Joy's success has grown further than she could have ever imagined. She has recently celebrated her 10th UK No.1 book on the Amazon 'Best Sellers' chart, with her 9th instalment in the Jackman & Evans series, Solace House. Joy boasts a staggering estimated total over 3.4 million copies sold worldwide, and became a short-listed nominee at the British Book Awards, 2021.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former Detective Sergeant Liz Haynes and DCI Matt Ballard were comfortably working at their PI investigations - although Matt felt he needed the former adrenalin rush of his job - when Liz's cousin Christie notified them of her pending arrival, doing research of the Fens for her author boss. Of course she was more than welcome to stay at their house, and the two women were happy to see one another once again. But along with Christie's research came the meeting of some of the locals, friendly, welcoming and happy to help. Until Christie met the local bookshop owner, Gina Spearman. Her immediate and instant dislike of the woman was so unlike Christie that Liz was shocked and concerned.

Matt and Liz's research into a four year old cold case where a young woman was murdered, with her killer never found, began pointing Matt in directions which worried him immensely. He and Liz could see trouble on the horizon and needed to warn Christie before something deadly happened.

Marshlight is the 4th in the DCI Matt Ballard series by Joy Ellis and once again it was filled with tension, enough to have my heart racing, along with a twisted evil which made me shudder. The beauty of the Fens stood out, the eerieness of the night time will-o'-the-wisps you would be lucky to see if you ventured out, and the obvious danger to anyone who didn't know the Fens - all made for an excellent psychological thriller which I highly recommend.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marshlight is the fourth in the Matt Ballard series. I’ll admit this is my least favorite of Joy Ellis’s three different series. Which is to say it’s good, but not up to the high standard of the other two. And this book is the weakest of the series.
Matt and Liz are now out of the police force and running a detective agency. Their attempts to find the missing sister of a friend have drawn blanks. And Matt is less than satisfied, given the over abundance of adultery cases they’re handling. So, he’s a happy camper when he’s asked to perform some background work on a cold murder case.
Meanwhile, Liz’s cousin, Christie, has come to the Fens to do research work for an author she works for. Talk about a dream job! The author is blind, so she visits the sites of his upcoming books and does all the on the ground research about the area. While there, she takes an immediate dislike of the local bookstore owner, a manipulative woman.
The story focuses on Christie and Matt and Liz are definitely not front and center in this story. I struggled a little with the premise that Christie would get so involved so quickly in the lives of the people she meets.
If you want a fast paced story, this isn’t going to be for you. It is definitely a slow burn. Or if you’re expecting Ellis’s normal police procedurals, you’ll also be disappointed. It comes down to two strong willed characters facing off against each other, trying to win the souls of some very weak individuals. I did like the very ambiguous ending.
Ellis does a fabulous job portraying the Fens, which are almost a character in their own right. And there’s just the right amount of legend and myth about the Fens thrown in.
This can easily be read as a stand-alone.
I listened to this and I was less than enthralled by Matthew Lloyd Davies. Too often, he just seemed flat.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshlight is the fourth instalment in the former Detective Chief Inspector Matt Ballard and Detective Sergeant Liz Jones series; they both now work as Private Investigators in the rural fenlands, Lincolnshire. Matt and Liz have just been winding up a case they were hired to investigate regarding a missing person, and despite it being a welcome break from the rather tedious cheating spouse investigations that make up the bulk of their work, they have not been able to find missing woman Amy, who is Liz’s friend’s sister and the few leads they once had turned out to be fruitless. Meanwhile, Liz is delighted to receive an unexpected email from her cousin Christie McFerran who is coming to the Fens for a visit to carry out some research. Christie is a researcher for prominent blind author Auden Meeres and will be coming to the area to gather information about the folklore and beauty of the area for her boss’ next book as he likes to ensure the descriptions he gives are accurate. However, she ends up staying longer than anticipated as Auden falls seriously ill and so she befriends many of the local folk. Retired vicar Ian Hardy used to be London-based but has come home to care for his dying sister, Evelyn. He is kind enough to offer Christie the use of her beautiful cottage and gardens, known as The Mulberries, to stay in.

Two other people she instantly enjoys the company of are Tom Parrish, the manager of the local bookstore, where Christie has been spending many long hours researching, and his assistant, Delphi. However, the proprietor of the shop, Gina Spearman, is an individual Christie can see right through. She's manipulative, condescending, controlling, a liar and very much proves herself to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing yet most have given her the benefit of the doubt or are woefully naive. But soon strange incidents begin happening, there's increasing friction and suspicion between the townsfolk, Delphi vanishes completely and the bodies begin piling up; Christie is adamant Gina is somehow involved. Is she? This is a riveting, extremely complex and compulsively readable addition to a much-loved series and the atmosphere of the rural Fens can be felt from the start. When I say it is action-packed, I really mean it as there are multiple intertwining threads and more than enough drama, murder, backstabbing, secrets and shocks for any small town. Ellis places some of her enthralling trademark twists and turns throughout and makes good use of red herrings to throw you off the scent. A scintillating, absorbing and thoroughly entertaining procedural with plenty of thrills. Highly recommended.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt and Liz, both retired from the police, are now working as private investigators. Things have been pretty quiet .. which is not a bad thing.

But Matt and Liz wish something new would come up, other than following cheating spouse. You know what they say .. be careful of what you wish for ... you might get it.

An old friend's sister disappears and is never heard from again. There's no evidence of any violence, but her friends say she'd been acting a little strangely before she went missing.

While Matt has been asked by his old boss to take a quiet look around, Liz's cousin, Christie, comes for a visit. She's working for an author, doing his research as he is severely ill. Christie is one of those people who makes friends wherever she goes. But she's come across woman that just sets her teeth on edge.

Gina is the local bookshop owner who seems to turn cold, then hot at a moment's notice. She's not the nicest person around and a lot of people stay away from her. But there's a small number who think she is a wonderful person, even with her horrible behavior.

Christie is convinced that Gina is manipulating everyone around her. Is she onto something dangerous or just pushing her new friends away?

No one believes her suspicions until another friend goes missing late at night on the misty Fen marshes.

As I have found with all this author's previous books, it is well-written, the plot is full of solidly drawn characters. Gina is the one to watch. She's vicious while sugar wouldn't melt in her mouth. The background of the lights on the marshes was a terrific backdrop to the crimes committed. It's a page turner, for sure. Although 4th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. I do recommend reading in order because of the backstories of Matt and Liz.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller/ crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Marshlight, the fourth novel to feature former DCI Matt Ballard and his partner former DS Liz Haynes, now PIs in the fens.

Matt and Liz have been looking into the disappearance of a friend’s sister, but with all leads exhausted have had to admit defeat, which gives them time to help out the local police by looking into the background of various individuals linked to the cold case murder of Lindsay Harrison. At the same time Liz’s cousin Christie comes to stay and takes an immediate and most say irrational dislike to local bookstore owner Gina Spearman. Christie thinks she’s an evil manipulator, her friends say she’s a loyal, if difficult, supporter. Who’s right?

I thought the previous novel in the series, Dying Light, was a fantastic, atmospheric slow burn of a novel and was really looking forward to Marshlight, but I found it disappointing and overly long for such a slim plot. Don’t get me wrong, the novel has the usual warm, readable style, an atmospheric setting and (some) relatable characters, but the content didn’t appeal to me as I found it obvious and rather repetitive.

The main storyline is the psychological cat and mouse game between Christie and Gina. It’s not really my cup of tea as there is only so much crime fiction can say about psychopaths and this brings nothing new, just different details to a standard trope. There is a sense of inevitability about it all, but the novel takes it time getting there.

Marshlight did not appeal to me.

[Louise Wilson]

DCI Matt Ballard #4

An old friends sister disappears without trace. There's no sign of foul play, but she's been acting very peculiarly. Meanwhile, Liz's cousin Christie comes to stay. She takes an instant dislike to the local bookshop owner, Gina. Christie is convinced that Gina is manipulating everyone around her. No one believes her until another friend goes missing late at night on the misty Fens marshes. Can Matt and Liz uncover the truth in time to save lives?

There is a lot going on in this book with several different plotlines. Ex-policeman - now turned PI Matt Ballard and his DS Liz Jones, have both retired from the force. Matt gets a call from one of his ex- colleagues about a woman who had been murdered several years ago. No one had been brought to justice. Liz's cousin Christie comes to stay but she manages to upset one of the locals.

This is an atmospheric crime thriller. I like the authors writing style and you can tell the book has been well researched. There is a few sub-plots that make the story more intriguing.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #JoyEllis for my ARC of #Marshlight in exchange for an honest review.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read other books by Joy Ellis and enjoyed them. This one not so much. It is supposed to be a thriller and suspenseful. So far it is neither of those things. I am currently 74% in and it is boring but I am determined to finish it.

I have to admit I don’t like stories that wrap up nice and neat. This was not a page turner, it was a good story even though it took way to long to get to it. I still would not call it a thriller or suspenseful.



RECOMMENDATION: SKIP IT If you like a lot of foundation and set-up in a story with little action, this is the book for you.

[margaret Paterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so not in love with this book. I have great admiration for Joy Ellis and her writing style is fabulous. This book just bored me. The Gina character was overwhelmingly portrayed in nearly every page to the point that I flipped loads and the main characters (her friends) were so weak and ridiculous they really annoyed me. The other characters are memorable in a good way. The ending was not a surprise and as far as I am concerned couldn’t come quickly enough. Terrific descriptions of the fens which makes me want to visit.

[Harmony Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Joffe books for a free Advanced Review copy of this book.

I have read and enjoyed previous Joy Ellis books, so I jumped at the chance to read MARSHLIGHT pre-release. Unfortunately, it fell somewhat flat this time for me. By 25% of the way through, nothing big had happened. Both the murder and the disappearance had happened prior to this story beginning. At this point of the narrative, the book had read more like a love affair with the Fen Marshes than anything remotely resembling a 'totally enthralling psychological thriller' as the blurb promised. Also, with the many characters and plot threads, I felt that this diluted my connection. I didn't feel that I cared one way or the other for any but Ian, the bereaved priest.
The final denouement brought no great surprises for me, and the ending was somewhat open and loose.

I enjoyed the portrayal of Gina, which was as brilliantly over-inflated as any megalomaniac would be, and I hated her immediately. So her character was incredibly well drawn and portrayed.

I offer 3 stars, which means it was an okay read. See my notes below.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

[Peter Snell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts like an episode of The Archers; an everyday story of fenland folk.
We are introduced to a cast of characters who are not just one dimensional, or even two dimensional but genuinely three dimensional. They are real people, some of whom I like and some of whom I don’t. But there are people in these pages that I would like to have in my circle of friends. Even the fens themselves are characters in this tale.
It was a very pleasant and cosy read, not what I expect from a psychological thriller. But before the mid-point in the story the undercurrents are beginning to swirl and make me wonder about some darker strands that have been woven into the web.
There is a running thread concerning a cold case and the murder of a young woman, but there is also conflict between the personalities that builds in a very satisfying way.
By chapter thirty two, just a little more than two thirds of the way through the book, it is obvious that one character may not be quite who or what they present themselves as, or claim to be.
The final section promises huge revelations. The plot lines are brought together well and sustain the tension until the very end. This is a great mix of psychological thriller, murder mystery and an examination of manipulation and people under pressure.
There is a bookshop that plays its part in this drama and provides a hub for many of the characters. This is an accurate reflection of the social contribution of bookshops to their communities. Trust me, I was a bookseller.
The final conclusion to the tale is left hanging. It is for you to interpret and decide.
Whatever you do, do not miss out on “The Marshlight Mysteries” by James Alfred Ballard.
These tales of mystery portray the fens as a bleak and dangerous place.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy Ellis brings the Lincolnshire Fens to life: the magic, ancient folklores, mysterious lights and gases from the marshes. The mood is evocative and the characters authentic, but evil is lurking.
MarshLight is unique, a departure from police procedural, and will have you gripped. Expect the unexpected, you will not be disappointed. I read it in a couple of sittings and loved it.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a LOT going on in this book! Several different plot lines to follow, so prepare yourself, as you'll need to keep everyone straight. To start with, retired detectives and current private investigators/couple Matt and Liz are finishing up a case they could not resolve. A fanciful sister of a friend of theirs has gone missing but they were unable to locate any trace of her. Here sister is focused on the loss of her colorful spirit the last time they met and swears she didn't just take off on her own. Matt and Liz are disappointed in the result, but there's no further avenues of inquiry that they can follow.

Their focus turns to Liz's cousin Christie, who is coming to stay. She's a researcher for a famous blind author and travels the world so that he can write with the knowledge of someone who has captured the environments first hand for him. She's currently researching the folklore and beauty of the Fens for what may be his final book, as he has taken severely ill. She ends up staying longer when his illness keeps him hospitalized, and is thus able to get to know the locals. She becomes close to a few, but develops a severe dislike of the manipulative owner of the local book shop, Gina. Gina is manipulative and controlling to everyone, especially Delphi, Jane, and Tom, a trio whom Christie quickly grows fond of. Unfortunately, no one else seems to grasp how terrible Gina is because they are all incredibly naïve, apparently.

Except there are two other characters that do agree with Christie about Gina - Tom's mother, Margaret and her old friend, Ian, a vicar from London. He's back home to be with his ill sister, Evelyn, and is staying with Pip and Dominic, owners of Stone House and friends to all of the other characters. Evelyn is also best friends with Margaret and are you confused as all get out yet?? Margaret isn't shy about her dislike of Gina, especially because Tom grows continually more irritated and impatient with her, due to Gina's influence. Ian attempts to keep Christie calm about her animosity because there's only so much you can do when people don't want to see what's right in front of them.

And lastly, Matt and Liz have been unofficially looking into a cold case murder of a young adult female from several years ago. Matt's thrilled because he misses 'real' cases that aren't mere spousal infidelity - the bulk of their PI work. Liz enjoys this case also, but worries that Matt misses detective work much more than she does, as she knows past injuries will keep her from ever returning to the force. It soon emerges that this case might be relevant to the other drama around town which complicates everything.

So if you can keep it all straight, it's an engrossing story, but I do think we could have done without some of the subplots and characters. If there hadn't been so many connections, this could almost have been broken up into more than one story. The complete lack of awareness that Gina's acolytes showed was quite frustrating, especially because unlike a cult leader tends to be, she's not breathtakingly attractive or enthralling in the least. Thank goodness for Margaret, she was by the far the most interesting and hilarious character. Bring her back, please!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Joy’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I especially love the series featuring Detective Chief Inspector Matt Ballard or former DCI Matt Ballard as he is now. ‘Marshlight’ is the fourth book in the series and it is another corker of a read and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Marshlight’ but more about that in a bit.
As with all of Joy’s books, the fact that Joy’s name was on the cover was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. As soon as I was able, I grabbed a copy and hibernated until I had read the very last word on the very last page. To say that reading Joy’s books become extremely addictive is a huge understatement. I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough as I became ever more desperate to find out who the perpetrator was and whether or not Matt would make it to the end of the book in one piece. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Marshlight’ and I had to bid farewell to Matt. I found ‘Marshlight’ to be a gripping read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Marshlight’ is superbly written although in my opinion, all of Joy’s books are superbly written. She has a way of creating lead characters who are impossible to dislike and making them sound so realistic. For me the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. I love the way in which Joy Ellis makes ‘The Fens’ come alive. I feel as though I have a real feel for the area despite never having visited. Joy makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate. Reading ‘Marshlight’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Marshlight’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Joy’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 'winner' by the phenomenal Joy Ellis. When I open a book by this author I know I am guaranteed a treat and I certainly wasn't disappointed this book was a real treat. It has several aspects to it: I psychopathic character, weird goings on with Jack-o-lantern, and cold case murder. All tie together perfectly towards the end where, as with the previous Matt Ballard books, we are left with the question: Who dunnit? I know who my money is on but I will leave you to make up your own mind and we may find out in future books who knows what Joy has in store for the characters.

Although this is very much a Matt and Liz book Gina and Christie are the main characters. Christie a lovely woman with a very caring nature who sees Gina for what she really is whereas Tom, Delphi and Jane see her through rose tinted glasses. Gina is a master manipulator she is very intelligent and uses this to maximum advantage to mess with peoples' minds. When Gina decides to use Christie in her games she even manages to get Christie doubting herself.

Christie, Liz' cousin, is a researcher for an author and arrives on the Fens to research Jack-o-Lantern and other mysterious goings on for Auden's latest book but she is in a race against time. Auden is ill and Christie need to get what Auden needs so finish his 'last' book. Matt is looking into a 2 year old murder of a young girl for his old boss and Liz is searching for Frances' sister, Amy who has disappeared. 3 seeming different investigations that all come together to make an absolutely gripping pageturner.

I seem to say this with every book but this could be Joy Ellis' best book yet.

5 golden stars from me

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marshlight is the 4th in Joy Ellis' Matt Ballard series.

from description: "An old friend’s sister disappears without a trace. There’s no sign of foul play, but she’d been acting very peculiarly . . .

Meanwhile, Liz’s cousin Christie comes to stay. She takes an immediate — and uncharacteristic — dislike to the local bookshop owner, Gina. Why does everyone put up with her awful behaviour?"

Joy Ellis is one of my favorite authors, but the Matt Ballard series is not my favorite of her three series.

Gina is a game player, a manipulative woman who manages to berate and coddle, denigrate and reward her employees and friends. Christie sees this, but Gina's victims make excuses for her.

Ellis manages to bring to life some of her characters: Tom's mother Margaret, Ian, even Pip and Dominic. Strangely, the more important characters don't fare as well. The inability of Tom, Delphi, and Jane to see through Gina makes them seem quite dense.

NetGalley/Joffe Books
Mystery/Suspense. July 8, 2021.

[Valerie Campbell Ackroyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping indeed

I spent an entire day reading this book, with short breaks for food and walking to clear my head. It is indeed what the subtitle says “a totally gripping psychological thrillers with a stunning twist”. I actually think there are two twists, however, because I think the “solution” that Matt Ballard comes up with at the end is wrong. Perhaps Ellis wrote it so that the reader would see what Ballard doesn’t see. Makes for an interesting “will the story continue” ending.
I also enjoyed Ellis’ description of the fens in Lincolnshire in England. Slightly more southerly than Vera’s (Ann Cleeves) fens around Newcastle, Ellis describes these fens as magical but murderous. At first her descriptions of the countryside, the beautiful cottages, made me want to take a trip to the UK again. However, as the story turned more sinister, ugh, no.
It’s still a corker of a story. If you like stories about good vs evil, if you love to get so engrossed in a story that you are shouting “No, NO, don’t fall for that!!” this is the story for you.

[John Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story!

Although it took a while to get going this story was, towards the end, a real page turner. An evocative tale indeed, with real three dimensional characters and a well thought out plotline. Detective Matt Ballard was only a supporting character in this tale, with the lead taken by the slightly unhinged but genuinely compassionate Christie, his partner's cousin. The star villain, Gina, was a bit of a pantomime psycho but, it was all done "in the best possible taste". Well worth a read!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eerie Marshes!

Absolutely brilliant! I find Joy Ellis a most fascinating and interesting author. I never cease to be amazed at her written works. I wasn’t sure who the murderer was but I made an educated guess. And as for the manipulation, that happens so much in society today, it’s good to see authors use it to emphasise the problem. A truly fantastic book.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fourth book in the DCI Ballard series. I normally love this author so much and her other series's are brilliant 5*, however, I seem to be in the minority as I found this book dreadful! It was so slow and then it one of the main characters cousin turned amateur detective which was just so unbelievable! So a thumbs down 👎 from me

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Rhomany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confusing and disjointed in the beginning, but eventually turns into the wonderful mix of folktale, gothic thriller and mystery story Ellis is known for. One more in this series to go and I’ll be sad to finish it.

[Neely Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt and Liz have two puzzles they’re working on—a missing person and a cold case murder handed to them by their old police buddies. This is another complicated storyline that keeps you guessing what will happen next.

[SHALINI AGGARWAL · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't enough of Matt Ballard in this one. And he doesn't do much. But as a story it was good. I also enjoyed the 5 short stories at the end.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

Another great book I love reading these books always a good plot and lots of twists and turns roll on the next one .

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author even if the particular story line isn’t my favorite.

[Gwenn Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just always thoroughly enjoy Joy Ellis.

[Greta Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like all her other books before it was an utter joy to read. It has everything you could wish for and I just could not put it down. Joy Ellis you are a star. Thanks to the author and Joffe books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

[Linda Rowlett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book quickly when I could not sleep. It was one of those books touted as an “enthralling psychological thriller with a stunning ending.” I disagree. The characters, particularly Christie, did not act consistently. There was nothing surprising about the ending — except perhaps the decision by Ballard and Carpenter not to reveal that the death of one character was not a suicide.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy Ellis does it once again. Marshlight is an amazing and excellent read. I have been awaiting this next in the Matt Ballard series to arrive and when Joffe Books send me a copy to read and review, I simply could not wait to get stuck in. The stories set on the Fenlands fascinate me as they are mystical, magical and at the same time eerie. Matt & Liz are a lovely couple, very well suited, and despite the sadness of them leaving the police, they are making a name for themselves as private detectives with the advantage of still having colleagues in the force. This plot was a particularly deep and disturbing tale which was complex and intriguing. Right from the start there was a magical and mysterious feel to it with the will-o’-the-wisp on the marshes and the danger that hunting the strange haunting light can bring with it. This was coupled with a deep psychological feel to it when Liz’s cousin arrives to stay and gets involved with new friends who turn out not to be quite what she believed they were. The plot is extremely well thought out and the book very beautifully written. As usual, there is a lot of fun and light-hearted moments mixed up with the suspense, and once more we see Matt and Liz solve an extremely complex and intriguing case. The ending is intense, and the author certainly keeps her readers guessing all the way through. I simply loved this book and found it hard to put down. I also enjoyed the appendix and consider it well worth a read. Hopefully, we will see more of Matt and Liz in the future.

[Nerys Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former police officers turned private investigators Matt and Liz have been searching for a friend's sister who has gone missing. She had drastically changed her appearance the last time her sister saw her and her behaviour was totally out of character. Matt and Liz can find no trace of her but promise to keep looking into it. Liz is delighted that her cousin Christie is going to visit as she is researching the history and lore of the Fenlands for the author she works for. Christie quickly makes friends in the area, especially two people who work in a local bookshop and a local artist. However, surprisingly for her, she takes an instant dislike to the owner of the bookshop and believes her to be manipulating her three new friends. Matt is delighted to get a call from his local colleagues at the Fenland Constabulary who ask him and Liz to look into a cold case - the murder of a young woman who worked at a garden centre. The original suspect, her boyfriend at the time, had a solid alibi and the police think Matt and Liz can help them with background information about those involved in the case. Christie soon finds herself in the grip of a game with a manipulative and wicked woman and she fears that the climax will lead to her losing her new friends or even worse.

Another great read from Joy Ellis. Love the way she conveys the bleak but beautiful atmosphere of the fens.

Thanks to Joffe Books and Joy Ellis for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
This is my favorite book so far by Joy Ellis, I absolutely loved it! Not only is it a good mystery, the setting splendid, the array of characters likeable and interesting, but it has a female bad apple, so vividly portrayed you find yourself despising her. She seems to put a spell on most people, who slavishly follow her. But not Christie, the young woman who has come to the Fens to do research for a book. As soon as she meets Gina, she takes an intense dislike to her - totally out of character for someone friendly like her who generally likes everyone.
This is not a police procedural, which is a nice change, but a mystery. The story is so good, you won't be able to put your Kindle (or book) down. Christie is highly likeable, I'd love her (and her lovely house)to be featured in a book again, along with some of the other characters.
Highly recommended!